Snap-switch.



c. J. KLEIN.

} SNAP SWITCH. APPLICATION FILED MAY 11, 1909.

985,421. Patented Feb. 28, 1911.

Witmeoaeo U ITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES J. KLEIN, F MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR TO THE CUTLER-HAMMERMFG. 00., 0F MILWAUKEE, "WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN.

SNAP-SWITCH.

Continuation of application Serial No. 391,550, fiieirse teniber a,1907.

' Serial No. 495,242.

To all whom it may concern:

. Be it known that I, CHARLES J. KLEIN, a citizen of the United States,residingat Milwaukee, in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin,have invented new and useful Improvements in Snap-Switches, of

which the followin is a full, clear, concise,

and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawing,forming a part of this specification. Y

My invention relates to improvements in" electric switches.

It has for an object to provide improved relations and certain claimsherein are in tended to cover said features broadly.

In order to illustrate my invention more particularly, I have shown inthe accompanying drawings certain features thereof in simplified form.

My invention may, of course, be embodied in various different forms andmay be applied to switches of different types.

, This application is a continuation of and a substitute fdr my priorapplication, Serial No. 391,550, filed September 6, 1907. Varionespecies of the genericinvention covered by this applicationare shown,described and claimed in other applications filed by me and identifiedas follows: Serial No. 393,793, filed September 20, 1907, renewal SerialNo. 574,685, filed July 30, 1910. Serial No. 393,7 94, filed September20, 1907, renewal Serial No. 588,784, filed October 22, 1910. Serial No.416,933, filed February 20, 1908, renewal Serial No. 588,785, filedOctober 22, 1910. Serial No. 416,934, filed Februar 20, 1908, renewalSerial No. 588,786, filed .ctober 22, 1910; p

In the drawings accompanying this specification like parts have beengiven the same reference numeralin the several views. v Figure 1 isasectional side elevation of a Specification of Letters Patent.

. simple form of switch in its closed position.

axis of the cam member.

.. I have shown', two upright guides 4, 5

Patented Feb. 28,1511.

this application filed May 11, 1909.

Fig; 2 is a sectional end elevation on the line 22 of F i l lookinginthe direction of the arrows. iig. 3 is a sectional side elevationsimilar to Fig. 1 showing the parts in the position in which the switchis about to open. Fig. 4 is a. view similar to Figs. 1 and 8 showing theparts in position in which the swith has opened. Fig. 5 is a sectionalside elevation showing a somewhat modified form of the switch.

I provide a cam member 1, which, in the structure shown in theaccompanying drawing, is in the form of a double frustum or wedge, thefrustums being arranged base to base, so that the cam has an enlargedcentral portion from which tapering faces extend 'inwardly toward thelongitudinal In other words, the cam may be said to bein the form of adouble wedge, in which the wedges are arranged base to base. -The cammay, of

course, a'ssumevarious forms which will be the equivalent of thatshownand will perform the same function. The ends of the cam are r'ovidedwith operating buttons by means 0? which the cam may be moved inonedirection or the other.

Any suitable supporting structure may be provided. For the purpose .ofillustration,

through which extend the buttons 2, 3. I These guides'may be formed bythe walls of a suitable casing.

The cam'is engaged by the helical spring 6. The periphery of the helicesof the spring are directly engaged by an operating member, which, in thebest embodiment of the invention, takes the form of a cam. In accordancewith the. invention, the helical spring engages a cam member and in theparticular embodiment of the invention illustrated,the helical spring isshown in the form of a ring which entirely-surrounds the cam member.

The cam and spring are so arranged and coact in such a manner, that byreason of their construction and the pressure between them, a bodilymovement of one along the engaging surface of the other is secured,

which movement takes place at an acc'elerated speedand independently ofthe push button or-other o crating means. In the form of the inventionillustrated, the cam 1s moved to secure a predetermined relation withrespect to the spring and then the spring moves automatically andindependently of the cam and of the operating push button so as toactuate the contacts, to make or break the circuit. This movement of thespring takes place in a similar path and in a reversed direction to themovement of the cam. It is thus impossible to stop the snap action ofthe make or break of the circuit by holding the push button.

'Suitable means are provided for controlling the contacts of theelectric circuit through the action of the helical spring whereby said.circuit may be made and broken. In the best embodiment of the invention,I provide a separate contact member which, in the form illustratedincludes a ring 7. It will be seen that over the helical spring extendsa ring 7 which is preferably of curved cross-section and is split sothat it may be spread to allow the helical spring to expand. This ringforms a movable switch contact which is adapted to bridge the stationaryswitch contacts 8 and 9 mounted upon the guide 5. Of course, the switchcontacts may assume various forms and be arranged in different ways. Theconstruction and arrangement of these contacts shown in the drawing hasbeen selected merely for the purpose of a simple illustration of theapplication of my invention.

The guidesin addition to supporting the cam, form stops to limit thebodily movement of the helical spring. In the form of the inventionillustrated, the'guides also limit the movement of the cam. Of course,

any suitable form of stops may be provided for this purpose.

In Fig. 1 the switch contacts are shown in closed position and the cammember stands to the left of the helical spring. If now the cam memberbe moved toward the right, the right-hand cone will pass into thehelical spring and spread it, as shown in Fig. 3, the helical springbearing against its right-hand guide orstop 5. When the right-hand conepasses through the spring and the left-hand cone comes into engagementwith saidwill bear a ainst the left-hand guide or stop 4 and the efthand cone will pass into the samean'd spread it. When the right-handcone comes into engagement with the spring the ressure of the s ring uon the righthan cone will cause it to sli e quickly over the same to theright until it engages the right-hand stop, thereby causing the movablecontact 7 to uickly engage the stationary contacts 8 and 9 and close theswitch.

The switch contacts may be of various forms, and associated with theoperating elements of the structure in various ways. As hereinbeforestated, the structure that is shown in the drawing has been selected asa cally operated switch is a door switch. In

Fig. 5 I have illustrated such a switch to which my invention isapplied. In thisfigare the parts which correspond to those in Figs. 1 to4, have been given the same reference numeral with the exponent prime,as, for instance, 1', 2.

To the guide 5 is attached a tubular member 10 in which is arranged aspring 11 which is interposed between the button 3 and the outer end ofthe tubular member. The spring urges the cam member to its left-handposition in which position the switch is closed.- When the switch isapplied for use in connection with a door, it may be so arranged thatthe door may engage the button 2 and .force'. the cam member to theright against the tension of the spring when the door is closed, therebyopening the switch. When the door is open the cam member is released andthe spring forces it to the. left, thereby closing the switch. Of coursethis form of switch may be applied in various relations.

The structure which my invention provides produces a switch which issimple and compact in construction, and eflicient and durable inservice, and in which there is a quick make and break between thecontacts.

As has been previously said, the drawin s in this application merelydepict a simp e form of. my invention for the purpose of convenientillustration.

From the disclosure that I have made herein many different forms ofswitch may be devised to embody my invention. drawings and foregoingdescription should therefore be construed not in a limiting sense butsimply as illustrative of one of various embodiments of my invention.

IVhat I claim is:

.1. In an electric switch in combination, a cam, operating means, aspring directly engaging said cam, said spring and cam being movablerelatively to cause coaction one with the other whereby one of saidparts is caused to move bodily relatively to the other The thereby.

at an accelerated speed independently of said operating means, and aswitch contact associated with said spring and actuated thereby.

2. In an electric switch, in combination, a cam, opera-ting means, aspring directly engaging said cam, saidsprlng and cam beingmovablerelatively to cause coa'ctlon one with the other whereby one of saidparts is caused tomove bodily relatively to the other at an acceleratedspeed in a similar path by the movement of said cam at a predeterminedpoint in its travel independently of said operating means, and a switchcontactassociated with said resilient member and actuated therebv.

8. In an electric switch, in combination, a

cam, operating means. a spring directly engaging and carriedby said cam,said cam and spring being movable relatIvelv to cause coaction one withthe'other whereby oneof said parts is caused to move bodilyrelatively'to the other at an accelerated speed independentl of said operatingmeans, and

. a switch contact associated with said spring and actuated thereby.

4. In an electricswitch, in combination, operating means comprising amovable member having oppositely inclined conical surfaces on eitherside of a line transverse in the axis thereof, and a springoperativelyengaged by said inclined conical surfaces.

'caused to move bodily by the movement of said first named member, andmeans whereby said spring and movable member are' adapted to control anelectric circuit.

"In an electric switch, in combination, a cam, operating means, a springdirectly engaging said cam, said spring and cam being movable relativelyto cause coaction one with the other'whereby one of said parts is causedto move bodily relatively to the other at an accelerated speed in asimilar path in a reversed direction independently of said operatingmeans, and a switch contact associated with the 6. In an electricswitch, in combination, operating means comprising two members havingthe same linear motion,.one of said members comprising a bodv providedwith a plurality of operative relativel angular spring and cam andactuatedmembers comprising a body of varying transverse sectional areasand provided with a. plurality'of operative relatively angularlydisposed facial portions grouped about a central axis of said body andthe other of said members being a spring arranged to be directly andoperatively engaged with said facial portions in such arrangement thatone of said members ,is caused to move bodily relatively to the other atan accelerated speed independently of said operatingmeans, and a switchcontact associated with the members and actuated thereby.

8.111 an electric switch, in combination,

operating means comprising two members having the same linear mot1on,oneof said members comprising a body provided with a plurality of operativerelatively angularly disposed smooth facial portions grouped about acentral axis of said .body and the other of said members being a springarranged to be directly and operatively engaged with said smooth facialportionsin such arrangement that one of said members is caused to movebodily relatively to the other at an accelerated speed independently ofsaid operating means and a switch con-- tact associated with the membersand actu-- ated thereby.

9. In an electric switch, in combination, a helical s rin a movable cammember enp. m gagedthereby, said cam member having a tapering face whichmay be brought into engagement with said helical spring to cause saidspring to lTlOVG'bOdllY. over said tapering face, and means whereby saidparts are 7 adapted to controlan el ectr1c'c1rcu1t.

10. In an electric switch, 1n combination,

a helical spring, a cam member having a tapering face, said cam memberbeing movable to bring said tapering face into engagement withsaid-helical spring, whereby said helical spring will engage saidtaperingface, and cause bodily movement of one of said elements,and'means whereby said parts are adapted to control an electric circuit;

11. In an electric switch, in combination, a cam member having a conicalportion. a helical spring circumferentially engaging said cam, said cambeing movable to bring said conical portion into engagement with said sring and cause bodily movement thereo relatively to said cam member, and

means whereby saidparts. are adapted to control an electric circuit. 5

I 12. In an electric switch, in combination, a cam member having twooppositely inwardly taperingportion's, and a helical spring engagingtherewith and caused tomove bodily relatively thereto, stops forlimiting bodily movement of said s ring,

and means whereby said parts are a apted to control an ,electriccircuit.

13. In an electric switch,- in combination, a cam member in the form ofa double frustum positioned base to base, a helical spring engaging saidcam member and caused to move bodily relatively thereto, and meanswhereby said parts are adapted to control an electric circuit.

14. In an electric switch. in combination, a cam having an operatingportion of decreasing longitudinal cross section with a curved surfacetransverse to the axis thereof, a spring operatively engaging the curvedsurface of said cam and adapted to be caused to move bodily relativelythereto when in engagement with said operating portion thereof, andmeans whereby said parts are adapted to control an electric circuit.

15. In an electric switch, in combination, a longitudinally movable camhaving an en larged central portion with inclined surfaces on oppositesides thereof, a bodily movable spring yieldingly and directly engagingsaid cam whereby said cam maybe moved relatively to said spring to causean independent and accelerated movement of said spring, and meanswhereby said parts are adapted to control an electric circuit.

16. In an electric switch, in combination, operating means comprising amovable operating member having oppositely lnclined conical, surfaces, aspring directly engaging the conical surface of said operating member,said operating member being movable relatively to said spring wherebysaid spring partakes of bodily movement caused by co action of saidresilient member and the inclined surfaces, and means whereby said partsare adapted to control an electric circuit.

17. In an electric switch, in combination, operating-means comprising amovable operating member having oppositely inclined conical surfaces, aspring directly engaging the conical surface of said 0 crating memher,said operating member eing movable to transfer said spring fromengagement with one of said surfaces to the other whereby said springpartakes of bodily movement caused by a coaction of-said spring and theinclined conical surfaces, and means whereby said parts are adapted tocontrol an elec-' tric circuit.

18. In an electric switch, in combination, an operating member havingoppositely iuclined conical surfaces on opposite sides of its center, aspring directly engaging and lying around said operating member, stopslimiting bodily movement of said spring, said operatin member beingmovable and so constructe as to pass its center through said spring tocause said spring to move bodily at an accelerated movementindependently of the movement of said operating member, and meanswhereby said parts are adapted to cont-r01 an electric circuit.

19. In an electric switch, in combination, a cam having oppositelyinclined faces on contacts actuated by coaction opposite sides of itscenter, a spring engaging therewith, said cam being adapted to be movedrelatively thereto to bring one or the other of said faces intoengagement with said spring to cause it to move upon said face at anaccelerated s eed, and means whereby said parts are a apted to controlan electric circuit.

20. In an electric switch, in combination, a cam member havingoppositely inwardly tapering portions, 9. helica spring engagingtherewith, and caused to move bodily relatively thereto, and switchcontacts associated with said parts and actuated thereby.

21. In an electric switch, in combination, a cam member in the form of adouble frustum, a helical spring engaging there with, means for limitingbodily movement of said spring and guiding said cam, and means wherebysaid parts are adapted to control an electric circuit.

2 In an electric switch, in combination, an operating cam member in theform of a double frustum with the frustums sitioned base to base, ahelical spring engaging therewith, means for limiting bodily movement ofsaid helical spring, and means for actuating said cam member and switchcontacts actuated by coactionbetween said cam member and said spring. 7

23. In an electric switch, in combination,

. a helical spring, a movable cam member engaged thereby, said cammember having a tapering face which may be brought into engagement withsaid helical spring to cause said springto move bodily oversaid ta rinwit 1 said elements and actuated thereby.

24. In an electric switch, in combination, a helical spring, a cammember having a tapering face, said cam member being mov able to bringsaid taperin face into en ment with said helical sp ing, whereby i dhelical spring will engage said taperin face and cause bodily movementof one 0% said elements, and switch contacts associated with saidelements and actuated thereby.

25. In an electric switch, in combination,

a cam member'having a conical portion, a. helical sprlngcircumferentially engaging said cam, said cam being movable to bringsaid conical portion into said spring, and cause a thereof re at engement wit bodily movement ively to said cam between said cam member andsaid sprin y 26. In an electric switch, in combination, a cam having twooppositel inwardly tapering portions, and a'helica spring enga ingtherewith, and caused to move bodify relatively thereto, switch contactsassociated with said stops for limiting bodily movement of spring. 7

27. In an electric switch, in combination,

said

' and switch parts and actuated thereby and a cam member in the form ofa double frustum, positioned base to base, a helical spring engagingsaid cam member, and caused to move bodily relatively thereto, andswitch contacts actuated by coaction between said cam member and saidspring. a

28. In an electric snap switch, the combination of a cam, a springdirectly engaging said cam, operating means, said cam,

thereby, a spring directly engaging said cam, said cam and springcoacting so that the pressure between them causes a quick bodilymovement of one along the engaging surface of the other independently ofthe push button, and means whereby said cam and spring by said bodilymovement are adapted to control an electric circuit, when said pushbutton is actuated.

30. In an electric snap switch, a base, a double end push buttonprojecting through each side of the base so as to be pushed from eitherside, said button having a cam portion, a spring directly engaging saidcam portion, and a movable contact, the-parts-being so arranged andcoacting thatwhen said push button is pushed back and forth anaccelerated movement is given to said contact independently of said pushbutton.

31. In an electric snap switch, the combination of a push button, saidpush button having a portion carrying the cam, a spring directlyengaging said cam, said cam and spring coacting so that the pressurebetween them causes a quick bodily movement of one along the engagingsurface of the other, means whereby said cam and spring by said bodilymovement are adapted to control an electric circuit, when said pushbutton is actuated, and supporting guides for said push button adaptedby contact with the faces of the cam to limit the movement of the pushbutton.

32. In an electric snap switch, a base, a

double end push button, projecting through each side of the base so asto be pushed from either side, said button carrying a cam portion, aspring directly engaging said cam portion, said spring having a portionwhich is bodily movable with relation to and along the engaging surfaceofv the cam and a movable contact, the parts being so arranged andcoacting that said cam and spring cooperate when said push button ispushed back and forth, so that said contact is given an accel- I(gratedmovement independently of said push utton.

33. In an electric snap switch, the combination of a cam, a springdirectly engaging therewith, switch contacts connected to one of saidparts, means for moving one. of said parts with relation to the other,so as to place said spring under tension and to secure a predeterminedrelation between said cam and spring, said cam and spring after saidpredetermined relation has been established, actuating said switchcontacts independently of the means for moving one of the parts. I

34. In a mechanical movement, the combination of a cam, a springdirectly engaging said cam, an operated part, connections between saidoperated part and one of said members, means for moving one of saidmembers with relation to the other so as to secure a predeterminedrelation between the cam and spring, said cam and spring actuating saidoperated part, after said predetermined relation has been establishedindependently of the means for moving one of said members.

35. Ina mechanical movement, the combination of a cam, said cam havingan inclined face, a bodily movable spring directly engaging said cam,means for moving said cam to a predetermined position with relation tosaid spring, means wherebysaid cam and spring coact to cause said springtopartake of a quick bodily-movement over the inclined surface of saidcam independently of the means for moving the cam and after thepredetermined positionhas been established and a part to be movedmechanically connected with said spring and actuated thereby.

36. In an electric snap switch, the combination of a cam, a tensionspring directly engaging said cam, one of said parts being movable alongthe engaging surface of the other, operating means, said cam and springcoacting so that the pressure between them causes a quick movement ofone along the engaging surface of the other independently of theoperating means, and means whereby said cam and spring by saidmove'mentare adapted to control an electric circuit.

37. In an'electric snap switch, the combination of a cam, a coiledtension spring directly engaging said cam, operating means,

said cam and spring coacting so that the that of the base of saidconical portion of! said cam, stationary switch contacts, a push button,said spring being bodily movable along the face of said cam and adaptedto control the make and break of an electric circuit to which saidcontacts are connected.

39. In a snap switch, the combination of stationary contacts, a camhaving two oppositely tapering portions, said portions,

being arranged base to base, a helical spring ring (llrectly engagingand surrounding said cam and moving bodily relatively thereto,

and means for moving said spring along said cam, said spring beingadapted to make and break an electric circuit to which said contacts areconnected.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presenceof two Witnesses.

CHARLES J. KLEIN.

Witnesses A. C. MAAGE, FRANK H. IIUBBARD.

